November 20, 2009
Hispanic Business Alliance in Memphis
The 12-year-old Hispanic Business Alliance has a new home and new name to expand its services and reach into the Memphis Hispanic community. The organization is making the transition into the Memphis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with a move into the Center for Emerging Entrepreneurial Development on Madison, creating an alliance with the Mid-South Minority Business Council.
Elena Salas, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber and one of five founders of the Hispanic Business Alliance, says the organization became stagnant over the last few years.
The alliance was started in 1997 to empower the growing Hispanic business community in Memphis. Salas left Memphis in 2003 when she was transferred by FedEx Corp. to Miami, but returned last year. While she was gone, the organization’s membership dwindled. She says the goal now is to “reorganize and start over” as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The group estimates a Hispanic community of more than 150,000 people who are looking for services and businesses owned by people who speak their language and share their culture. The chamber currently has 95 members. Salas says that number could grow by up to 40% in the next two-three years.
The majority of Hispanic Chamber members are in the service areas of restaurants and retail stores, with others representing the construction and health care industries. Contrary to popular belief, Salas says, the chamber currently doesn’t have any landscaping companies as members.
“We’d welcome some,” she says.
Partnering with the Hispanic Chamber will allow MMBC to make inroads into the Hispanic community, says Luke Yancy, president and CEO of the MMBC.
“The intent is for them to grow their membership and for us to help them grow the capabilities and revenues of Hispanic businesses,” Yancy says. “We’d end up providing the programs they don’t have.”
Salas says the Hispanic Chamber has had difficulty recruiting some of the larger Hispanic-owned businesses, which prefer not to be labeled as such.
“You want to be the best at what you are regardless of race, sex or nationality, and if you’re doing millions of dollars in revenue, it isn’t like you’re using your status to get perks,” she says. “But from our standpoint as a chamber, it is important to know who is who because it helps business owners to see that role model and what the Hispanic community is bringing to the table.”
Anna Martin, CEO of real estate firms Trinity Investors and Memphis Medical Redevelopment Group, who recently joined the Hispanic Chamber, says it is long overdue for Hispanic businesses to have access to the services the chamber will provide. Martin, who is originally from California, says in the Bay Area, which is 80% Hispanic, communication isn’t as big an issue as it is in Memphis.
“I don’t find enough people here that can effectively communicate with Hispanic people locally so they can live and be educated the right way,” Martin says. “I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen so far.”
Salas says another immediate goal of the chamber is to grow its four-person volunteer staff into a paid staff to improve services and training programs. The chamber could also be a resource for larger companies looking to do business in the Hispanic community. To that end, Salas says it is important to make sure member companies will be prepared when those companies come calling.
“It isn’t about having a chip on our shoulders, but for so long, we were not included in so many areas,” she says. “We need to educate people that not everybody is Mexican or illegal. We’re citizens and we’re contributing to the community. It starts with business, but goes hand in hand with education.”
Memphis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Executive director: Elena Salas
Address: 158 Madison, Suite 101
Phone: (901) 528-1294
Web site: www.memphishispanicchamber.org
Posted by Ahorre at 11:49 AM
February 14, 2006
2006 U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce National Convention and Business Expo
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Comcast announce 27th Annual National Convention and Business Expo to be Held in Philadelphia
City of brotherly love to host the nation’s largest gathering of Hispanic entrepreneurs and business owners – Comcast to serve as presenting sponsor
WHAT:
Press Conference to Announce Official Kick-Off of the USHCC 27th Annual National Convention presented by Comcast
WHO:
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Leadership
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation Leadership
Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Leadership Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen Local officials and community leaders
WHEN:
Friday, Feb. 17, 2006
Time: 10:30 am EDT
*Members of the media and camera crews need to arrive no later than 10:15 am EDT
WHERE:
Philadelphia City Hall
The Mayor’s Reception Room – Room 202
2nd Floor, Northeast Corner of City Hall
Background:
Comcast has partnered with The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) to serve as the presenting sponsor for the USHCC’s 27th National Convention and Business Expo, which will take place Sept. 20th-23rd, 2006 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The USHCC Annual National Convention and Business Expo, which will be hosted in conjunction with the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, features hundreds of exhibitors from the United States and abroad, and is the country’s largest networking venue for Hispanic businesses and Fortune 1000 corporations interested in the Hispanic market.
Posted by Ahorre at 10:06 PM
June 26, 2005
The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Michael L. Barrera as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Barrera will assume his new post July 5, 2005. The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Posted by Ahorre at 02:56 PM